Career Aspiration - From inspector to programmer

There isn't much of a transition. The biggest part of programming is knowing how to inspect the parts and knowing GD&T. If you know that, youre 75% of the way there. As for the coding, I learned by trial and error and by asking a lot of questions. One of the things that helped me was the fact that I had been a CNC programmer for a while and made the hop to a Romer arm.

PCD don't have a trial or educational off-line seat. Companies like Nikon (CMM Manager) and Metrologic (Silma X4) has trial software that is fully functional for 30 days. Good luck on the adventure.

Your best bet might be looking for a part time job at a shop with PC-DMIS and learning there, not saying that would be easy to find.

Your best bet might be looking for a part time job at a shop with PC-DMIS and learning there, not saying that would be easy to find.

or a full time job? Maybe you need to take the leap, if that is really what you want to do. Switch jobs to a place and start as a PC-DMIS CMM operator, they may even send you to PC-DMIS programming class to start you off.

As for question 1, as mentioned.... am afraid you're out of luck.
You mention the 'passion' so if you find an employer who truly appreciates that, as Don mentioned.... they might be willing to give you the keys to your wish.... e.g.: A ticket to PC-Demon 101 training and if you're lucky.... an offline seat. I was lucky enough to get that, and ran with it. 7 days a week living, breathing and sleeping anything Demon related.
Well, it started to sink in, and the light bulb eventually began to glow.
It's the age old prob, however.... most companies want experience, but how does one get the experience unless granted the training period??
As for question 2, I made the same transition. For me? was lucky to be in the right place at right time. One thing is for sure, when attempting to get one's 'foot in the door', it would help if you're open to relocation.
The price of admission to CMM programmer-land would be discounted if you have a bit of wanderlust........... the ideal situation usually does not come to you.
At any rate, good luck Jeff!

this link might help you get started:
ftp://wilcoxassoc.com/docs/v2018r1manual/
it's no offline seat, but has plenty to offer for those who seek::::::::::::::::

If you can somehow start a high school or something similar then you can get a seat for pennies on the dollar. We bought a CNC , ROBOT and CMM for a high school and we have 10 offline seats for them to use in 1 of their manufacturing classes. A single offline seat may be the cheaper option.

So many jobs out there. You need to start looking ! Someone with 5 years already in quality ? Sounds good to me. Heck, most of the time the quality job goes to the guy who makes the least scrap parts !!!

Parrot here- Yeah, growing into the role of programmer is essentially the only way to garner the knowledge to program with PCDMIS.
Calypso is entirely different, a lot more visual-based and point-clicking than the demon's script based foundation. With the demon you have to know the code and how to force it to get the job done that you need.
If you could find an employer with Calypso AND PC-DMIS, that would be ideal, as you can prove your value programming the calypso, while learning PC-DMIS.

Where are you located? like sealevel said, if you are willing to relocate (possibly on your own), your chances will increase.
My employer has a CT metrotome scanner, and is looking for an Quality Auditor / Calypso programmer for that beast. We also have 3 CMM's running the demon... PM me, and I'll send you a referral email. BTW it's in Tempe, AZ, like 3 miles from ASU Main campus.

Little advice from someone who has recently 'trained' a Calypso person, or tried... FORGET, FORGET, FORGET everything software related to Calypso and learn PC-DMIS. Don't go on and on about how Calypso this and Calypso that. This dude has gotten negative attention from all of the QC dept. mainly the poor supervisor, all cuz of wasting energy complaining. Just keep it to yourself and embrace your new adventure with PCD. Jus' sayin'!

+1. Calypso is NOTHING like the DEMON!!

Isn't it pronounced Col-lap-so?

Y'all gots a pretty broad brush out to paint with. I don't see where the OP went on/on about Calypso. I'm still learning both, but in my limited experience(s)?
There IS a big difference in the two....
For me? Each has it's strengths...and weaknesses. But since I gotta use both, my workaround is to find, then pull on the teats that give the sweet cream, and avoid the ones that give sour. It's a long learn for me, a lot of wires not to be crossed in my CMM thinking with two armies of corporate coders battling in my head.
That said, the two software are NOT mutually exclusive. When used as directed, they can both be safe and effective, but there IS a Hatfield .vs McCoy view taken by many....